A rare and highly active schooling fish native to the Wapoga and Tiawiwa River systems in West Papua, Indonesia. Known for its distinct sexual dimorphism as it matures, with males developing a deep arch and striking green/blue iridescence. Like most rainbowfish, they require highly oxygenated water, moderate flow, and significant horizontal swimming space.
Leggett's Rainbowfish At a Glance
Leggett's Rainbowfish Tank Requirements
Will Leggett's Rainbowfish fit in your tank?
Care guides tell you what Leggett's Rainbowfish needs, the next question is whether your tank can safely provide it. Test Leggett's Rainbowfish against your tank size, maintenance needs, and the fish you already keep before you buy.
Useful setup supplies
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Leggett's Rainbowfish Water Parameters
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Leggett's Rainbowfish Temperament & Compatibility
Leggett's Rainbowfish Varieties
Each variety inherits the species defaults above. Only differences are highlighted.
Standard (Unsexed / Juvenile)
Juveniles are predominantly silver and lack the deep body and vibrant colors of the adults. Must be kept in a school of 6 or more to reduce stress and establish natural pecking orders.
Same care requirements as the base species
Also known as: Juvenile
Male
Adult males develop a much deeper, arched body profile. Their coloration is spectacular, featuring an iridescent green back, a metallic blue midlateral band, and an orange flush on the breast. Males frequently display to females and spar harmlessly with rival males.
Same care requirements as the base species
Also known as: Show Male, Adult Male
Female
Females remain more slender and are predominantly silvery with translucent fins. Keeping more females than males (e.g., a 1:2 ratio) in a school helps disperse male mating pursuit and reduces stress.
Differs in 1 trait from base species
Also known as: Adult Female
Leggett's Rainbowfish Care Guide Summary
The Leggett's Rainbowfish, scientifically known as Glossolepis leggetti, belongs to the Rainbowfish family group. Adults reach a maximum size of approximately 9.5 cm and have a compressed body shape with a moderate growth rate. Classified as peaceful, this species primarily occupies the surface and mid-level zones of the aquarium and produces a low level of biological waste.
To thrive, the Leggett's Rainbowfish requires a freshwater only aquarium with a minimum volume of 150 litres and a tank length of at least 90 cm. Water temperature should be maintained between 25°C and 30°C, with a pH range of 6.5–8.4 and a general hardness of 5–18 dGH. A moderate water flow is preferred.
The Leggett's Rainbowfish is a rewarding species to keep, provided its core environmental needs are met. This species is available in 3 varieties: Standard (Unsexed / Juvenile), Male, and Female. Each may differ slightly in size, temperament, or care needs, so it is worth checking the specific requirements of the variety you plan to keep.
Leggett's Rainbowfish Habitat Setup
When setting up an aquarium for the Leggett's Rainbowfish, a moderate water flow best suits their natural preferences. Because this species occupies the surface and mid-level zones, the aquarium layout should prioritise adequate surface area with floating cover to make them feel secure near the waterline and open swimming space in the centre of the tank for free movement. Useful additions include dense planting to provide cover, break sightlines, and reduce stress. Keepers should note that a tight-fitting lid is essential, as this species is a known jumper.
Leggett's Rainbowfish Compatibility Notes
Classified as peaceful, the Leggett's Rainbowfish is a schooling species that feels most secure in a sizeable group, where natural shoaling behaviour reduces stress and brings out their best colours. When choosing tankmates, shy or slow-feeding tankmates may be outcompeted at feeding time and their energetic swimming style may stress more sedentary or timid species. Selecting tankmates that favour different water layers from the surface and mid-level zones can help reduce competition and territorial overlap.
Leggett's Rainbowfish Recommended Tank Sizes
Standard aquarium sizes that meet the minimum volume and length requirements for Leggett's Rainbowfish.
40 Gallon Breeder
55 Gallon Standard
60 Gallon Breeder
75 Gallon Standard
90 Gallon Standard
125 Gallon Standard
Show 9 more tank sizes
Leggett's Rainbowfish Feeding & Diet Considerations
The Leggett's Rainbowfish will eat fry, so breeding efforts in the same tank are unlikely to succeed and is an aggressive eater that may prevent timid tankmates from getting enough food, so target feeding or simultaneous feeding at opposite ends of the tank can help.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Leggett's Rainbowfish
How big does Leggett's Rainbowfish get?
Leggett's Rainbowfish (Glossolepis leggetti) typically reaches a maximum adult size of approximately 9.5 cm. They have a compressed body shape and a moderate growth rate.
What tank size does Leggett's Rainbowfish need?
A minimum aquarium volume of 150 litres and a tank length of at least 90 cm are recommended for Leggett's Rainbowfish. This ensures enough swimming space and helps maintain stable water conditions.
What water parameters does Leggett's Rainbowfish need?
Leggett's Rainbowfish thrives in freshwater only conditions with a temperature range of 25–30°C, a pH between 6.5 and 8.4, and a general hardness of 5–18 dGH. A moderate water flow is preferred.
Is Leggett's Rainbowfish peaceful or aggressive?
Leggett's Rainbowfish is classified as peaceful with an aggression score of 2 out of 10. They are generally well-suited to peaceful community tanks.
How many Leggett's Rainbowfish should be kept together?
Leggett's Rainbowfish is a schooling species and should be kept in groups of at least 6. Larger groups help distribute aggression and encourage natural schooling behaviour.
Does Leggett's Rainbowfish have any special tank requirements?
Yes. Leggett's Rainbowfish benefits from plants - densely covered in the aquarium. These features help replicate their natural habitat and promote overall health and well-being.
Does Leggett's Rainbowfish need a lid on the tank?
Yes. Leggett's Rainbowfish is a known jumper, and a tight-fitting lid or cover is essential to prevent escape. Even a small gap can be enough for a determined fish to leap out.
Top Tank Mates for Leggett's Rainbowfish
These fish are strong compatibility matches for Leggett's Rainbowfish based on water preferences, temperament, adult size, and tank behavior.
Orange Delight Shrimp
Caridina loehae
Ideal Tank MatesZebra Shovelnose (Tigrinus Catfish)
Brachyplatystoma tigrinum
Ideal Tank MatesEmerald Green Cory
Corydoras splendens
Ideal Tank MatesAngelicus Botia
Botia kubotai
Ideal Tank MatesApistogramma Marmor (Marbled Apisto)
Apistogramma erythrura
Ideal Tank MatesGolden Bristlenose Pleco
Ancistrus sp. L144
Ideal Tank MatesPlants That Suit Leggett's Rainbowfish
These plants pair well with Leggett's Rainbowfish based on shared water preferences, layout fit, and how likely they are to hold up in the same aquarium.
Afzel's Anubias
Anubias afzelii
Amazon Sword
Echinodorus amazonicus
Anacharis
Egeria densa
Anubias Barteri
Anubias barteri
Baby Tears
Lindernia rotundifolia
Balansae
Cryptocoryne crispatula
Fish Similar to Leggett's Rainbowfish
Allen's Rainbowfish
Chilatherina alleni
A rare and highly active rainbowfish native to West Papua, Indonesia (Wapoga River basin). Known as the 'Wapoga Rainbowfish', they undergo a dramatic color transformation as they mature, developing intense metallic blues, greens, and reds. As exceptionally fast, continuous swimmers, they require a 4-foot (120cm) aquarium minimum to thrive without stress.
Blue Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia caerulea
A small, highly active, and colorful schooling fish native to the Kikori River system in Papua New Guinea. They are peaceful but require ample swimming space and a school of their own kind to thrive. Like most rainbowfish, they appreciate well-oxygenated, flowing water and are excellent jumpers. Males develop a striking blue hue with reddish horizontal stripes.
Mubi Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia mubiensis
A rare, energetic, and colorful schooling fish native to the clear, limestone-filtered streams of the Kikori River system in Papua New Guinea. As they mature, males develop striking colors and deep bodies. Like most rainbowfish, they are highly active, requiring long aquariums with moderate flow and moderately hard, alkaline water to thrive.
Kamaka Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia kamaka
Endemic to the karst Lake Kamakawai in West Papua, this is a spectacular and distinctively deep-bodied rainbowfish. As they mature, males develop a robust chest and an intense silvery-blue to purplish sheen. Like all rainbowfish, they are highly active, schooling fish that require spacious tanks with plenty of horizontal swimming room and alkaline, hard water parameters.
Bulolo Rainbowfish
Chilatherina bulolo
A rare and highly active rainbowfish native to the fast-flowing mountain streams and white-water rapids of the Markham and Ramu river systems in Papua New Guinea. They possess a silvery body with a distinct black streak on the upper and lower edges of the caudal fin. Because of their specialized natural habitat, they require highly oxygenated, fast-flowing water and alkaline conditions to thrive in an aquarium.
Barred Rainbowfish
Chilatherina fasciata
A robust, active, and highly colorful schooling fish native to the clear, fast-flowing streams of New Guinea. They are named for the distinctive vertical black bars on their lower flanks. As highly active swimmers that do best in hard, alkaline water, they require a spacious, long aquarium (minimum 4 feet) with strong oxygenation and plenty of open swimming space.